Weighting mechanism for the drawing rollers of combing machines and other machines for the treatment of textile fibers



Jan. 18, 1944. PlERREPONT' 2,339,513

wmemme MECHANISM FOR THE DRAWING ROLLERS OF COMBING MACHINES LE FIBERSAND OTHER MACHINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTI Filed May 8, 1943 4Sheets-Shae} 1 Cam. owxkladh JanQlS, 1944. o. .PIERREPONT 2,

WEIGHTING MECHANISM FOR THE DRAWING ROLLERS OF COMBINGMACHINES AND OTHERMACHINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FIBERS Filed May 8, 1943 4Sheets-Sheet 2 ow, nus 1......

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Jan. 18, 1944. D. PIERREPONT 2,339,513 WEIGHTING MECHANISM FOR THEDRAWING ROLLERS OF COMBING' MACHINES AND OTHER MACHINES FOR THETREATMENT OF TEXTILE FIBERS Filed May 8, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet'3 .Zizpizkmm a, o pkmrm Jan. 18, .1944. D. PIERREPQNT. 2,339,513

wsmawme MECHANISM FOR THE DRAWING nommns 0F comma MACHINES AND OTHERMACHINES FOR THE'TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FIBERS Fileq'May 8, 1943 4Sheets-Sheet 4 2/ ZIQr 6 K I- 22 20 6 "/Wum/z; QMMQW Patented Jan. 18,1944 WEIGHTING MECHANISM FOR THE DRAW- ING ROLLERS OF COMBING MACHINESAND OTHER MACHINES FOR THE TREAT- MENT 9F TEXTILE FIBERS DonaldPierrepont, Chadderton, Oldham, England Application May 8, 1943, SerialNo. 486,148 In Great Britain April 24, 1942 4 Claims.

This invention of improvements in or relating to weighting mechanism forthe drawing rollers of combing machines and other machines for thetreatment of textile fibers refers more particularly to mechanism forquickly relieving, and re-applying, weight to the covered top rollers ofthe drawing-head of a machine of the kind referred to.

Itis well known in connection with the weight ing of drawing rollers,especially where the top rollers are leather covered, that it isdesirable, when the machine is stopped for any considerable length oftime, that the top rollers should be relieved of the influence of theweights to avoid the formation of flats on the covering of said toprollers.

Various means for accomplishing this purpose have been proposed, someoperated by rotation of a screw by means of handwheel and others bymovement of a lever, usually through a relatively large angle, thusoccupying an appreciable amount of the time of an operative. If theoperative be careless, or, as often as not, is in a. hurry to get thispart of the work over, the unweighting is sometimes not properlyperformed, with consequent risk of damage to the top rollers.

A further disadvantage experienced with some known weight-relievingmechanisms is that when the weighting hooks are removed from the arborsof a top roller in order that said top roller may be lifted out forcleaning or changing, there is a tendency for the weight wires to fallout of position and sometimes to be not readily accessible forreplacement.

This invention contemplates the provision of mechanism which permits theWeight to be lifted from the top rollers of a drawing-head suflicientlyto prevent the formation of flats on the top rollers, and reapplicationof said weight, with a minimum of efforton the part of the operative,which also permits the top rollers to be quickly relieved of theirweight by a further slight effort on the part of the operative so thatsaid rollers can be lifted out for cleaning or changing, and further,which prevents the rollers from being unweighted whilst the machine isrunning and alternatively prevents the machine from being set in motionif the rollers are unweighted. A still further feature is that theweighting, hooks from which the weights are suspended are so arrangedthat when lifted from the rollers they are retained in a convenientlyaccessible position in the machine, whereby to facilitate thereweighting of the top rollers.

Mechanism according to the invention, and particularly as applied to thedraw-head of a combing machine for combing textile fibers, incorporatinga group of top and bottom rollers, includes a set of independent weightsthreaded on to weighting hooks for suspension from the top rollers ofsaid draw-head, a bridge piece penetrating said weights in a directionat rightangles to the axes of said top rollers, said bridge piece beingcarried between bearing brackets secured to the frame of the machine,with freedom for limited up and down movement between said brackets, ashaft journalled in said brackets in parallelism with said bridge piece,a cam fast on said shaft, at least one lobe of said cam being higherthan the other or others, a handle on said shaft whereby said shaftmaybe turned about its axis, within limits, a finger or bolt pivotallymounted on the boss of on of said bearing brackets, whereby, when themachine is running, turning of the handleto relieve the weighting of thetop rollers is prevented by the obstruction of said bolt by thesetting-on rod of the machine, but, when the machine is stopped,

turning of said handle to relieve the weighting of the top rollers ispermitted, as the projecting bolt is then free to slide in a groove insaid setting-on rod which is brought into the path of movement of saidbolt when the said rod is operated to stop the machine, the engagementof said bolt with said rod preventing endwise movement of said rod tostart the machine.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with the aid of theaccompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevation ofa draw-head of a combing machine with Weight-relieving mechanismaccording to the invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sideview of weight-relieving mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a planView of a detail part, later to be referred to; the parts in theforegoing figures being assumed to be in the position occupied when thecombing machine is running; Figs. 4 and 5 are similar views to Figs. 2and 3, but in this case the combin machine is assumed to be stopped andthe weightrelieving mechanism moved to a first lift position to relievethe top-rollers of the weight while also preventing the machine frombeing restarted, the top rollers, however, being incapable of removalfrom the roller stands; Figs. 6 and '7 are similar views to Figs. 4 and5, but with the weight-relieving mechanism moved to a second liftposition to free the top rollers and permit of their removal from theroller stands while still preventing the machine from being set inmotion.

The same reference characters indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings which show only so much of a combingmachine as is necessary for a clear understanding of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, which shows in side elevation a draw-box head of acombing machine, II] indicates the frame of the machine, II the rollerstands, and I2, I3 the top and bottom drawing rollers. There is providedbelow the drawhead a short shaft I4, hereinafter referred to as acam-shaft, journalled in bearings in a pair of spaced brackets I5, I6carried by the frame I0.

Fixed on the cam-shaft I4 is a cam ll of an axial dimension slightlyless than the distance between the adjacent faces of the bearingbrackets I5, I6. The cam I1 is formed with three lobes I8, I9, 20,providing cam rises extending longitudinally of said cam, the centrallobe' I9 projecting further from the axis of the cam shaft -I4 than theouter lobes I 8, 20, see Figs. 2, 4 and '6. Although only thecentrallobe I9 and the outer lobe IB are used in the arrangement shownin the drawings, the second outer lobe 26 is provided to obviate theneed for right and lefthanded cams. Mounted for vertical slidingmovement within the bearing brackets I5, I6 and in .close proximity tothe cam I1 is a bridgepiece 2I the under side of which is formed with acam surface 2Ia while the top side presents a plane surface 2I b whichin one condition of use affords bearing for a set of weights 22 eachhaving an orifice 22a enabling said weights to be threaded over thebridge-piece 2 I, the cam shaft I4 and the cam I1, and located betweenthe bearing brackets I5, I6. When the machine is working,the-bridge-piece 2I rests by its ends 2Ic, 2Id on the bosses Ia, Hill ofthe respective bearing brackets I5, I6, see Figs. 1 and 2, the upperpart of each of said bosses being formed with a flat to receive thebridge-piece 2 I.

There is a weight 22 for each top roller l2 to be weighted, and eachweight 22 is suspended by a pair of hooks23 from the arbors of therespective top roller I2 in known manner. Each weight/22 isnarrow inrelation to its depth, and in each narrow side adjacent to the top ofthe weight there is formed an open-ended groove or recess 22b whereby ineffect lugs 220 are provided on opposite sides of the weight 22. Thelower ends of the weighting hooks 23 penetrate holes in the lugs 22c andare screw-threaded and provided with washers 24 and nuts 25 to securethe weights on the hooks. When the hooks 23 are lifted from the arborsof the top rollers I2, the lower ends of said hooks, where they projectthrough the lugs 22c, come into contact with shoulders 22d formed by thefloors of the respective .recesses 22b, whereby undesirable movement ofthe hooks 23 is restrained and the hooks 23 are held in accessibleposition, thus facilitatlng.the replacement of the hooks 23 in thereweighting" of the top rollers I2.

The cam-shaft I I projects at one end through the boss I5a of thebracket I5 and is there fitted witha stop 26a adapted to abut against astop IS?) on the boss I5aof the bracket I5 to limit the forward movementof the handle 26. Similar stop s26b; I50 respectively, are also providedfor use forthe same purpose with a machine of opposite hand.

fPivOtally connected to a lug I5d projecting from the boss a of thebracket I5 is a finger or bolt 21 extending in an upwardly inclineddirection with its free end penetrating a hole in a guide bracket 28secured to the outer face of the bearing bracket I5. The guide bracket28 also affords a bearing for the usual setting-on rod 29 of the machinewhich has on its underside a notch 29a wide enough to allow entry of thebolt 21 therein.

In one position of use the notch 29a is in the path of movement of thebolt 21, while in another position of use the setting-on rod 29interferes with the movement of the bolt 21.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Assuming that the weighting is correctly applied to the top rollers I2,i. e., the weights 22 are suspended from the arbors of the top rollersI2 by means of the weighting hooks 23 and are clear of the bridge 2 I,and the machine is working, the position of the handle 26 on thecamshaft I4 will be vertically downwards i. e., at six oclock, and thesetting-on rod 29 will be in a position which prevents the bolt 21 fromsliding through the guide bracket 28, see Figs. 2 and 3, and,consequently, the handle 26 is held against movement to relieve theweighing on the rollers. When the machine is stopped, the setting-on rodis in a position where the notch 29a in the underside of the setting-onrod 29 is in register with the hole in the guide bracket 28 throughwhich the bolt 21 slides, and consequently there is free passage for thebolt 21 through the bracket 28, see Figs. 4 and 5.

If it is desired to release the weight from the top rollers I2 toobviate the formation of flats on the top rollers during a prolongedstoppage of the machine, then the handle 26 is moved approximately toseven oclock position whereby the cam shaft I4 is given a partialrotation, whereupon one ofthe outer lobes, e. g., the lobe IB, is causedto bear against and move the bridgepiece 2| vertically upwards to liftsimultaneously all the weights 22 just sufficiently to relieve theweighting on the top rollers I2, see Fig. 5. This movement of the handle26 is so slight that it entails very little effort on the part of theoperative to relieve the weighting instantly.

This movement of the handle 26 causes the bolt 21 to be slid through theguide bracket 26 into engagement with the notch 29a in the setting-onrod 29, see Figs. 4 and 5, thereby preventing endwise movement of therod 29 and consequently rendering it impossible for the machin to berestarted while the top rollers I2 are unweighted.

If, however, it is desired to remove one or more of the top rollers I2for clearing or for change of the rollers, the handle 26 is moved to aposition approximating to nine oclock, thus turning the cam-shaft I4 andcausing the central lobe IQ of the cam I! to press against and lift thebridge piece 2|, and the weights 22, now sustained by said bridge piece2 I, to a greater extent, see Fig. 6, so that the weighting hooks 23 maybe lifted clear of the arbors of the top rollers I2 to permit saidrollers to be easily removed. Undesirable downward movement of theweighting hooks 23 is restricted by the bottom ends of the hooks 23abutting against the shoulders 22d formed by the floors of the recesses22b in the weights 22, whereby the weighting hooks are retained inconveniently accessible position. The bolt 27 projects further throughthe guide bracket 26, but still engages the notch 29a in the setting-onrod 29, see Fig. 7, to prevent endwise movement of the rod 29. Themovement of the handle 26 is restricted in this direction by the stop26a on the handle 26 abutting against the stop b on the adjacent bearingbracket I5, see Fig. 6.

When the weighting is to be applied to the top rollers E2, the weightinghooks 23 are replaced in position over the arbors of the top rollers l2and the handle is returned to initial position, whereupon the turning ofthe cam-shaft l4 and cam ll permits the bridge piece 2! to fall bygravity until the weights 22 are again free of the bridge piece 2i andsuspended on the weighting hooks 23 from the top rollers l2. On thecompletion of this movement the bolt 21 is withdrawn from engagementwith the notch Eda in the setting-on rod 29 which is thus made free t bemoved to start the machine.

Movement of the handle 26 to relieve the weighting while the machine isin motion is prevented, as the setting-on rod 29 is in the path ofmovement of the bolt 21, thus rendering it impossible to move the handle26, see Figs. 2 and 3.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the operation ofrelieving the weighting of the top rollers of a draw-box can be efiectedquickly with a minimum of effort on the part of an operative, and aseasily re-applied, and that, when the weighting is off the rollers, themachine cannot be restarted until the weighting has been restored.

Further, the top rollers cannot be unweighted while the machine isrunning.

What is claimed is:

1. In a draw-head for combing machines and other machines for thetreatment of textile fibres, incorporating a group of top and bottomrollers, weighting mechanism for said rollers, including fixed bearingbrackets, a set of individual weights, on for each top roller, weightinghooks for suspension of said weights from the top rollers, abridge-piece penetrating said weights in a direction at right angles tothe axes of said top rollers, said bridge-piece being carried, withfreedom for structed by the setting-on rod when the machine is running,whereby to prevent turning of said handle to turn said cam and relievethe weighting on the top rollers and, when the machin is stopped, beingfree to be slid into engagement with said groove, whereby to preventendwise movement of said setting-on rod to start the machine.

2. Weighting mechanism for the drawing rollers of combing machines andother machines for the treatment of textile fibers as claimed in claim 1in which the cam lobes ar so devised that a slight initial turningmovement of the handle suifl'lces to release the weighting of the toprollers, and continued turning movement of said handle effects completerelease of the top rollers.

3. Weighting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which the cam isreversible and formed with three lobes providing cam rises extendinglongitudinally of said cam, the central lobe projecting further from theaxis of the cam-shaft than the outer lobes.

4. Weighting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which each weight isnarrow in relation to its depth and is formed in each narrow sideadjacent to the top of the weight with an open-ended recess whereby toprovide lugs on each side of the weight adapted for penetration by thlower ends of the weighting hooks.

DONALD PIERREPONT.

